20 Of The Most Famous Movie Scenes Of All Times That Fans Can Never Forget, Ranked In Order
Even if you're not a huge movie buff, there are some famous scenes in cinema that people tend to know instantly. It might be a scene such as the floating door in Titanic that people still argue about to this day, or a few-second-long dialogue you happen to know word-for-word, like "there's no place like home."
Either way, when people bring one of those famous scenes up in conversation, we'd bet money you know exactly what they're talking about and which movie. These scenes might not even be crucial to the plot, but they have a lasting impact that will be forever evergreen.
Julie Andrews Spinning Around The Sound of Music Hills
While The Sound of Music is known for its catalog of very catchy songs, it is also known for one of the more famous scenes in cinematic history. Interestingly, it's the opening scene of the entire movie, when Julie Andrew's character Maria is spinning around the hills and singing "the hills are alive, with the sound of music."
It takes something special to have people remember the opening scene of an almost three-hour film. One fun fact about this scene is that the dress Maria wears is also very famous, sold at auction for $1.3 million!
The Shower Scene From Psycho
Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock not only has the original plot twist, but it also has one of the most recognizable scenes that it's difficult to believe someone when they say they don't know what you're talking about.
We are, in fact, talking about the shower scene with actress Janet Leigh, something that is considered to be one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history, even if it only lasts 45 seconds. Interestingly, when asked why he chose to make Psycho, Hitchcock said, "I think the murder in the bathtub, coming out of the blue, that was about all."
"I Am Your Father" In Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
One of the biggest reveals in cinema happened in 1980 during the release of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Sitting in the theater watching the film, fans had no clue that Darth Vader was about to reveal something huge to Luke, and after cutting his hand off no less.
The line "I am your father" is so well-known that even non-fans of the series know it by heart, even if people now laugh at how no one caught onto "Vader," meaning father in German until recent years. Ironically, the quote is also one of the most misquoted, with people throwing Luke's name into the equation.
Woody Telling Buzz He's Nothing More Than A Toy
Taking out the tear-filled moments that go hand-in-hand with the Toy Story films, there are some very famous scenes and lines. From the theme song "You've Got a Friend in Me" to watching Andy leave for college, the films are an emotional roller coaster.
But if there is one scene that stands above the rest, it's when Woody yells at Buzz, "you are a toy!" The infamous fight between the two toys while they're at a gas station is literally the start to their bromance of a friendship and Buzz's acceptance that he isn't actually a real-life space ranger.
The Infamous Door Scene From Titanic
Aside from the scene where Jack is screaming, "I'm the king of the world" off the bow of the ship, the Titanic scene most people remember and feud over is the door scene. Yes, the infamous door scene where Jack puts Rose on the floating door while he stays in the icy water.
The "there's enough room for both of them on the door" will be a feuding point until the end of time, no matter if you've seen the film or not. And to make our stance perfectly clear, there is clearly enough room for two grown bodies on that floating piece of wood!
"You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat" Line In Jaws
Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws is perhaps one of the most famous films of all time. So much so that people who haven't even seen the thriller flick know about this particular scene, even quoting it without knowing its from one of the pivotal films in Hollywood history.
The scene we're talking about is when the infamous shark swims up next to the boat for the first time, and Roy Scheider's character Brody says, "you're gonna need a bigger boat." Ironically, the phrase wasn't in the original script; it was nothing more than a rewrite made by the production team.
The Dead Poets Society Saying "O Captain! My Captain"
The Dead Poets Society is full of memorable scenes, including Ethan Hawke's "yawp-ing" and doing the ultimate def poetry performance ever. But there is one scene that overshadows the other, the end of the film where the boys of the dead poets' society stand on top of their desks to bid their favorite teacher a grand farewell.
The "O Captain! My Captain" scene in the film is so powerful and sends the important message that education goes beyond what is written in a textbook. It shows that there is no singular way of looking at things, something the boys will remember for the rest of their lives.
Dorothy Clicking Her Ruby Slippers In The Wizard Of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is a movie that will go down in history as one of the great classics in cinema. Dorothy, Toto, and all of their friends skipping down the yellow brick road is one of the more memorable aspects of the film, and something most people know about.
But, there is one scene that is even more famous than the road. "There's no place like home" is a phrase that, to this day, is said by people who haven't seen one second of the film. But they know about Dorothy clicking the heels of her ruby red slippers together to get back to Kansas.
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" ....Enough Said
There are so many songs in the Disney catalog that sometimes its difficult to remember which song goes to which movie. But if there is one song out of the hundreds that people tend to remember, it's the Mary Poppins phenomenon "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
Not only are Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke able to sing the word oddly fast, but it is hard to forget the real-life and animation combination during the scene. We're not sure what Disney was thinking during the creation of the scene, but it sure is memorable!
Hermione Correcting Ron's Pronunciation In Sorcerer's Stone
While there are many important scenes throughout the Harry Potter franchise, there is one that people tend to quote from the first film, The Sorcerer's Stone. We're talking about the scene in the first film where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in charms class trying to levitate feathers off their desks.
If you recall, Hermione corrects Ron's pronunciation of the charm "Wingardium Leviosa," mocking his vocal inflictions and showing him up in front of, well, pretty much everyone. For some reason, fans of the film quote the phrase no matter the circumstance, even though we can't levitate objects (although that'd be beyond cool).
The Godfather Making An Offer He Can't Refuse
The 1972 Academy Award-winning film The Godfather has many memorable quotes and scenes not only through the first film but the second and third, too. Perhaps one of the most famous, though, is when Marlon Brando's Don Vito Corleone says, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."
The quote is perhaps the most famous line a movie gangster ever says. So much so that it is uttered by people still, especially when they're trying to bargain for something. Of course, it never comes off nearly as chilling or commanding as Brando!
Angela Lansbury As Mrs. Potts Singing "Tale As Old As Time"
Of course, there are many fun scenes in the Disney animated movie Beauty and the Beast, including Belle telling Gaston off once or twice in the span of the hour and a half long movie. Hey, something can always be said about a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't want in a man!
And what Belle wants is a "Tale as Old as Time." Or, at least that's the famous scene we think of when we think of the film. Angela Lansbury singing the song as Mrs. Potts isn't easy to forget, especially when Belle and the Beast are wearing their signature outfits and waltzing around the ballroom.
Chris's Tear-Stricken Face Of Horror In Get Out
One of the most powerful scenes in Jordan Peele's Oscar-nominated film Get Out is when Chris goes in to get hypnotized by Missy. In the scene, Missy brings his mind to "The Sunken Place," manipulating him into thinking the death of his mother was his fault (spoiler, it wasn't).
And, if the tears are any indication, "The Sunken Place" is not exactly somewhere you want to be. Even though not everyone has seen this thriller, this image of Chris' tear-stricken face is one many people know.
Miles Diving Off A Building In Into The Spider-Verse
One of the most visually stunning animated films in recent years is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It's no surprise that the movie won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Picture, with its unique style and stunning effects. But there is one scene that stands out among the others.
It's when Mile's fully takes on his new role as Spider-Man, wearing his new suit and jumping off one of the skyscrapers in New York, diving down towards the ground. The scene makes the viewer feel as though they are falling with Miles, in a stunning display of animation.
The Library Dance Scene In The Breakfast Club
The 80s had a lot of dance montages, but there is nothing quite like the kids dancing in the library during detention in The Breakfast Club. Five totally different people, these kids put aside their differences and just do something for the sheer fun or it.
The dance is often intimidated, but it will never be duplicated, as it is probably one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. Well, at least as far as dance numbers go -- right behind Dirty Dancing, Grease, and Flashdance, of course!
Bill Murray Saying "He Slimed Me" In Ghostbusters
The 1984 film Ghostbusters was unlike anything people had ever seen. With its unique blend of action, comedy, and quirky horror, the film became a cultural phenomenon. It didn't hurt that the comedic talents of Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Harold Ramis were leading the film.
The former of which is part of one of the more famous lines of the film. When the trio is going after the infamous "Slimer," Murray's character, Peter, gets slimed. The famous line he says is, "He slimed me," to which his partners couldn't be more thrilled. They now have evidence!
E.T.'s Finger Lighting Up When He Phones Home
In 1982, the world was introduced to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the funny little alien who wanted nothing more than to go home to his own kind. In his search to get back home, he befriends a little boy, Elliott, who does everything to help E.T.
And while there are many famous scenes throughout the two-hour-long movie, including E.T.'s love for Reese's Pieces candy, one stands out above the rest. We're talking about when the little alien's finger lights up, and he tells Elliott that he is "phoning home." The line is something people continue to say today when referencing a phone call they have to make back home.
Wesley Telling Buttercup "As You Wish"
To be honest, there are so many fantastic quotes throughout The Princess Bride that we might as well throw in the entire movie as "a famous scene." Alas, we're going to pick one. Spoiler alert: it's not the phrase "inconceivable."
One of the most famous phrases to come out of this film is spoken by the character Wesley a few times throughout the film. Yes, we're talking about the infamous "as you wish," he says to Buttercup anytime she asks for something. It's considered to be one of the most romantic lines in cinematic history.
The Training Montage In Rocky
In 1976, Sylvester Stallone came on screen as one of the world's favorite underdogs, boxer Rocky Balboa. Not only did he make people fall in love with an old-school Philadelphia, but he also made "Eye of the Tiger," a cool song (somehow).
But if there is one scene that the movie is known for, and one that people who haven't even seen the film know, it's when Rocky is doing his workout montage. The monumental point in the scene, though, is when he runs up the stairs, shadowboxing, and then jumping up and down as if he'd just won a huge competition.
Lady And The Tramp Sharing A Plate Of Spaghetti
When it comes to Disney movies, there are specific scenes that tend to stick out in people's minds. From Woody and Buzz getting in their infamous fight to Belle and the Beast waltzing around the castle in their signature looks, there's always something to remember these timeless movies by.
But when it comes to Lady and the Tramp, the most memorable scene has nothing to do with dancing or fighting and everything to do with a plate of spaghetti being shared between two unlikely beings, dogs. Of course, then there are the two chefs in the background singing "Bella Notte!"
